The Cay recalls the adventures of an eleven year old boy named Phillip who escapes his home island of Curacao with his mother to avoid the looming war. They are headed for a home in Virginia when their boat is torpedoed and sank. Phillip is separated from his parents and left blind by the torpedo blast. He finds himself on an island with a cat and an old native man. He must learn to survive, a task made more difficult by his newly acquired handicap. In time Phillip learns the value of friendship and that it too is blind.
Review
Although the main character is blind, The Cay is filled with colorful, descriptive language. The main character, Phillip, overcomes many hardships and develops a friendship with Timothy, a large African American man. I enjoyed this story because it is so uplifting, and shows the strength of the human spirit during hardship. I recommend this book simply as a quick and entertaining read.